In the tumultuous year of 1993, Nigeria was abuzz with protests and demands for democracy. The annulment of the June 12 presidential election, widely regarded as one of the fairest and freest in Nigeria' s history, had sparked widespread outrage and calls for the restoration of democratic rule. Amidst this backdrop, four Nigerian teenagers took a bold and daring step that would capture the attention of the world: they hijacked a Nigerian Airways Airbus A310, holding passengers and crew hostage in a bid to draw attention to their demands.

On October 25, 1993, the four teenagers– Richard Ogunderu, Benneth Oluwadaisi, Kabir Adenuga, and Kenny Rasaq- Lawal– cleverly smuggled toy guns onto the plane and took control of the aircraft mid- flight. With 159 people on board, including China' s Vice President Rong Yiren, the hijackers announced their demands, which included the restoration of democracy, the trial of those who collaborated with the military regime, and the dissolution of the interim government.

Lagos- Abuja flight to Frankfurt, Germany, but after the pilots insisted there wasn' t enough fuel, they decided to land in Niamey, the capital of Niger Republic. During their three- day standoff, the hijackers freed 34 hostages, including Vice President Rong Yiren, but refused to release the remaining passengers until their demands were met.